Solar subcontractors’ skills in question at Southbridge worksite

A regional trade group has questioned the qualifications of subcontractors helping to build a solar farm at 236 Blackmer Road.

“Unlicensed, unqualified temporary workers” were used to install conductive solar electric components, in violation of state law, alleges the National Electrical Contractors Association of Greater Boston, which represents more than 80 electrical and telecom contractors in Eastern Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.

NECA said it filed complaints to the state Division of Professional Licensure against subcontractor Patriot Solar of Michigan, temp agency Absolute Staffing of Worcester, and permit-holder Commonwealth Electrical Technologies of Worcester.

Absolute Staffing employees, who are not licensed electricians, erected electrical components such as racks, rails and conduit of the solar photovoltaic facility with assistance from unlicensed Patriot Solar counterparts, NECA alleged.

State law and electrical code require licensed electricians and licensed electrical contractors to install solar PV power systems, among other electrical apparatus, the association said.

Amie Breton, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Consumer Affairs, said the office would not confirm nor deny any investigation.

Michael Borkowski of EPG Solar LLC, a Maryland-based company that owns the land, said a decision has been made to use licensed electricians for the work, instead of fighting NECA. But he noted a Massachusetts Superior Court ruling that indicates non-electricians can be used.

Southbridge Building Inspector Nicola Tortis said the temporary workers only put together a minimal amount of hardware and dug and drove steel into the ground.

“The electricians did the rest,” he said.

The solar farm sits on 10 acres stretching into Dudley, the official said.

NECA said it complained about Commonwealth Electrical Technologies because it “presumably assumes full responsibility for all electrical work under its permit.”

John Duquette, president of Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, said he did not know why his company was being dragged into the dispute. His company started work last month and has used 16 to 18 workers for conduit and wiring. They are all licensed electricians or apprentices.

According to Mr. Duquette, Patriot Solar was installing solar panels, but the state intervened because they were not licensed electricians.

“We’re not covering anybody else’s work,” Mr. Duquette said.

An official handling the job for Patriot Solar did not return a phone message. The owner of Absolute Staffing said she had no comment.

NECA said it “grew suspicious” after viewing an Oct. 12 Craigslist posting by Absolute Staffing seeking general laborers to install solar panels for $10 per hour.

A call to Absolute Staffing, according to NECA, confirmed the positions were in Southbridge for Patriot Solar, the subcontractor.

Glenn W. Kingsbury, executive director of NECA Greater Boston, said a member of his staff visited the Southbridge site Oct. 25 and photographed the alleged violations. He said the unlicensed workers were handling conductive rail, racking and conduit installations.

Mr. Tortis said two sets of permits were issued. Commonwealth Electrical was issued a permit for electrician-only duties. Another permit was for non-electrical work such as concrete structures, trench-digging, knocking down trees, pulling stumps and setting up trailers.

Mr. Tortis said the temporary workers were “bolting stuff together like an erector set,” but did not handle wiring.

“They (the association) claim that the brackets and the channels and stuff are electrical in nature,” Mr. Tortis said. “Well, they’re not.”

Mr. Kingsbury, the executive director, said, “Solar PV arrays generate electricity and pose the same dangers of electrocution or fire as any other electrical system would.”

Mr. Tortis said NECA is upset with him. Mr. Tortis said Matt Lash of the association wants him to order the removal of the minimal work by the temporary workers and to have licensed electricians reinstall the work.

But Mr. Tortis said the association doesn’t have the authority to make such an order, and he asserted NECA was making noise because it wants the job.

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